space /spās/, n.

Because I timed my last week’s post to line up with the election, it feels like it’s been a proper eternity since I wrote here.

I believe I speak for many people when I say, “It’s been a long week and a half.” The media ceaselessly gives us more and more to worry about each day, and as tempting as it is to become ostriches with their heads buried underground, I don’t know a single person who dares be uninformed at this point in time.

Lots of relationships have come under pressure. Even in my own life, some conversations have been strained and all of them were heavier than usual. Time passes as it always does, but it’s been difficult to figure out how to move forward.

This weekend, I’ve been fortunate to have spent time with people who not only gave me great comfort, but also provided me the space to recuperate.

Photo Courtesy of Hu Veri Ivanoa | Crew

I’ve learned over the past few years that I need designated alone time for self care. Given the upcoming holiday festivities, however, my weekend ended up being stacked with plans to meet people before too much craziness set in and we failed to see each other at all.

The entire week, I have to admit, a part of me was dreading the weekend. I usually spend my Fridays alone, in my room, writing or reading a good book. Since everyone else is generally out, not only would I be alone at home, but there would also a lower likelihood of my being messaged through the evening because my friends would all be busy.

Because of my schedule, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to have enough time to adequately clear my mind and relax before the weekend ended.

How wrong I was.

Photo by Courtney Cheng

This weekend, I got to spend time with friends who not only provided wonderful conversation, but also, incredibly, gave me space to self care, even though I wasn’t alone.

It did, perhaps, help that I spent the last three hours of my Friday night baking alone in my parents’ kitchen, surrounded by the warmth of the oven and the familiar smells of all my baking ingredients.

But I would be blatantly lying if I said my friends didn’t play a large role in how well this weekend turned out.

It was in college that I realized how important it was for me to get my personal space. But it’s in my post-grad life that I’m realizing how important it is for me to find people who can provide me space to feel comfortable and comforted, regardless of how stressful things are.